Collapsible child&#39;s carrier and seat



April 24, 1951 4.1. P. BosK 2,549,958

COLLAPSIBLE CHILDS CARRIER AND SEAT Filed May 18, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 guapa/0r (/0//4/ A@ 05W April 24, 1951 J. P. BosK coLLAPsIBLE CHILD S CARRIER AND SEAT 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 18, 1946 April 24, 1951 J. P. BosK COLLAPSIBLE CHILDS CARRIER AND SEAT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 18, 1946 Patented Apr. 24, 1951 UNITED STATESr ATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE CHILDS CARRIER AND SEAT John P. Bosk, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application May 18, 1946, Serial No. 670,665

14 Claims. l

This invention relates to a collapsible carrier for small children or infants.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved infant carrier that is readily collapsible into a relatively small compact and convenientlysized article that can be readily transported, and on reaching the destination can be readily set up to provide a wheeled body having a seat on which a child or infant may be positioned, the seat having upstanding sides and an upstanding backrest equipped with a handle by which the wheeled body may be propelled.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a. collapsible child carrier consisting of a body providing a seat and on the underside of which there is a -recess within which rocker shafts are rotatably mounted and on which wheels and wheel mountings are mounted and to provide a means for easily and positively locking the Wheels and wheel mountings in extended position as well as for retaining the wheels and their mountings in collapsed positions Within the recess so that the carrier may optionally be used either as a wheeled carrier or by collapsing the wheels it may be employed as a childs seat or high chair if suitably positioned on an adequate support.

Another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible child carrier consisting of a wheeled body providing an open-topped receptacle over which a cover forming a seat is slidably mounted enabling various supplies such as feedings, diapers, or the like to be retained in the receptacle and made readily available by sliding the seatforming cover forwardly with respect to the body.

Another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible child carrier consisting of a wheeled body providing a seat and having a backrest hingedly mounted on the body to fold over the seat and to provide sides that are hin-ged to the body to also be foldable over the seat, the sides being so arranged as to be engageable with collapsible braces of the backrest to retain the sides upright when the carrier is in extended position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a child carrier consisting of a wheeled body having a backrest foldable over the seat provided by the body and to provide an extensible and collapsible handle attached to the backrest which serves as a retaining means for retaining the backrest in its folded position when the carrier is completely collapsed.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be made manifest in the following detailed description and specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference is had to the accompanying drawings for an illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein:

Figure l is a view in end elevation of the improved child carrier in its fully collapsed position;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View of the carrier in its fully collapsed position;

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken substantially upon the lines 3 3 and 4 4, respectively, on Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of the improved child carrier in its fully extended position and illustrating in dotted lines positions assumed by some of the parts in the process of collapsing the child carrier;

Figs. Gand '7 are sectional views taken substantially upon the lines 6 6 and 'I l, respectively, upon Fig. 5;

Fig. V8 is a view in front elevation of the child carrier in its fully extended position;

Fig. 9 is a section-al view taken substantially upon the line 9 9 upon Fig. 5;

Figs. 10 and l1 are sectional views taken substantially upon the lines Ill-Iii and II I I, respectively, upon Fig. 9;

Figs, l2 and 13 are sectional views taken substantially upon the lines I2 I2 and I3 I3 upon Fig. 8, respectively; and

Fig. 14 is an enlarged view in vertical section illustrating a portion of Fig. 13.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout, the improved child carrier consists of a suitable body preferably formed of sheet metal shaped and formed to provide -a receptacle having a front and back indicated at I I] and il and opposed sides I2. These walls I0, I I, and I2 are preferably reversely folded at their bottoms as indicated at I3 providing a support for a bottom I on the underside of which there is a recess I5 defined by the downwardly extending reversely folded portions of the body. The front wall II preferably slopes upwardly and rearwardly as indicated at I6. The upper portions of the side walls I2 are also preferably reversely folded as at Il, see Fig. 6, and the downwardly bent portions thereof are then bent towards each other as at I8 to provide rails for a cover I9, that provides the seat. This cover or seat is slidable on the rails and is retained thereon by means of brackets 2@ secured to its underside. The forward portion of the cover is bent downwardly and forwardly as at 2| so as to overlie the sloped forward walls I6. A combined foot and leg rest 3 22 is hinged at 23 to the forward edge of the seat and is foldable upwardly so that the footrest portion 24 may lie against the top of the seat when in collapsed position as indicated by dotted lines on Fig. 5.

On the underside of the bottom there are suitable journals or the equivalent indicated at V25,

see Fig. 2. These brackets or journals serve to rotatably mount rock shafts 26. Each of the rocker shafts has at the rear end thereof an ear 21 to which is pivotally mounted a fork or wheel mounting 28. The wheel mountings have wheels 29 rotatably mounted thereon and are equipped with collapsible knee braces 38 Vpivotally connected to the wheel mountings and to arms 3i that are rigidly secured to the rocker shafts inter-mediate their ends. At the forward ends .of the rocker shafts wheel mountings v32 for caster wheels 33 are pivotally mounted on the rocker shafts. These wheel mfojuntings are thus free to Arotate in any direction with relation tothe rock- .er shafts when they are disposed in :vertical or extended positions. At the Vrear corners of the .recess I thereversrely :bent portions I3 .are connected by 4gusset plates 34 having notches 35 adapted to receive the upper ends of the wheel mountings 278 when the wheels are `in extended positions as illustrated in Fig. 12. Thus, von rotating the rocker shafts -25 from the .position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. l2 and swinging the wheel mountings 25 relative .tothe rocker shafts extending the knee braces ,30, vthe wheel mountings will enter the notches 35 and lock-thefrocker shafts against `rotation or collapse. As the rocker shafts are thus locked the wheel mountings for all of the wheels .will be Vvmaintained in vertical positioniso that the -wlheels will support the bodyfthereon.

In collapsing the wheels the wheellmountings .28 are merely swung forwardly collapsing :their knee braces 30 .and thus disengaging the Anotches 35 'in the gusset plates. This unlocks -the rocker shafts 26 and enables themto Yrotaterelative to the brackets or journals 25 into the collapsed Vposition'shown in Fig.v2, whereinthe wheels and their mountings are positioned against the -underside of the vbottom I4 and are completely .fhoused within the Arecess I5 above the Lbottoms of the reverse folds I3. As a means Yforretaining the wheels and wheel Amountings in collapsed p-osition spring clips E35, see `Figs. 2 and 3, are v'secured to the -under-side of -the bottom if4 and are resilientiy engageable 'with the ends of Vthe arms 3l. Additionalspring clips V37 are -secured -within the walls of the recess I5 and are `enrgage- I at surface on the reversely folded portions vI3 and thus serve as merely a childs seat or as a high chair.

-On the inner faces of the-upstanding side walls of the body collapsible sides 38 'are hingedly mounted as by hinges 39 so that these sides v,may fold inwardly into positions overlying the seat 19. These sides whenin upright positions may be connected such as 'by a strap yor belt 49. A backrest 4I is hingedly connected as at 42ito the back of the body so as to be foldable over the inwardly folded sides 38 and into a position overlying the seat I9. This backrest is equipped with collapsible knee braces 43 that are pivotally connected to it and to the sides of the body. The sides 38 are equipped with brackets 44 that are adapted to receive the knee braces 43 when the knee braces are extended and serve to hold the sides 33 in upright positions. However, on collapsing the carrier by yswingirhg the vabackrest 4I forwardly into the dotted 'line kposition-'shown in Fig. 5, therknee braces 43 collapse and disengage lthe clips or brackets 44 enabling the sides 38 to -be folded inwardlyover the seat. As long as the backrest is upright and the knee braces 43 are extended .and are in engagement with the brackets 44 the .sides 38 are held against folding over 'the'seat A handle 45 is provided which is connected to the backrest 4I by means of arms to enable the .child carrier to vbe propelled thereby. -Eacharm consists of two sections `45 and 4? pivotally connected together las at 48. rIfhe lower section 41 of each arm isslidable within-guides 49, see fFig. l1, formed by folding the `side edges of the backrest. Spring latches -50 are secured -to the sides of the backrest and have -pins5l adapted lto'enter apertures 52 `and -53 Ain the lower sections 4i to releasably retain the arms of the handle in extended or collapsed position. Thus, on springing the latches-5i? outwardly as indicated byfdotted lines on Fig. 9, the lower sections 4-'I of the arms may telescope into the guides 49 'provided at the sides of `the backrest. Conversely, on disengaging the latches the lower sections 41 may be withdrawn from the vguides intolextendediposi- .tions and retained ltherein bythe latches having` Vvtheirvheads or pins-5I lenterthefapertures 53.

The two sections 46 and 41 of each arm are releasably locked against relative pivotal `movement and -to this end afflexible orfresilienthan'dle or connector Y54 bridges lthe space between "the arms. This connector is secured at its ends Yto leaf springs 55 fastened to Vthe upper arm j-sections 45 and the springs r.carry U -shaped latches 5.5, see Fig. 10, adapted to em-brace the arm .sections 46 and 41 near the pivotal connection #48 and thus lock the `sections againstrelative pivotal movement. However, `on pullingthe connecting member 54 upwardly .the ,leaf springs v.55 ,are sprung inwardly fr etracting the latchesf ia-nd thus permitting the lsections 45 .of the arms )to Ipivot relative to v:the lower sections 41.

Although the seat IB 'isslidable on the Arails .;I;8 at the sides of the body rear `.edge is prefer.- ably crimped as at\5'.'I., see Eig. 1 4, to v- ,c,oQ1: ,erate with a retainer 58 on the back wall lof the lbody to releasably retain thegsea-t in closedposition.

A handle "59 connects the upper ysections A4 5 of the arms and is ,so arranged as vto be disposed at approximately the center of the carrier when it is in fully collapsed position asshown inFig. 11, to facilitate carrying .of .the device incollapsel position. At the front of .the .body there provided a @11p e@ beneath which the Ahandle -l5 is receivable in collapsed position l.to retain .tlgre backrest in coilapsed position overlying tliegsides V38 and the seat I9.

It will be appreciated from Athe above-described construction that the .combined leg and foot rest 22 may be swung upwardly A so as to overlie'the seat as indicated by dotted-lines onF-ig. 5. If-here.- after the backrest -4I may .be swung forwardly causing the knee braces 43 to buckle and disene gage .the clips or brackets 4.4. vThe sides `38 .may thenb'e folded inwardly to overlie the seat. By

pulling upwardly on the bridging member 54 both latches 56 may be caused to simultaneously disengage and release the arms of the handle 45 to enable the upper sections 46 to be swung relatively to the lower sections. By springing the latches 50 outwardly the lower sections 41 may be telescoped downwardly within the guides 49. The backrest may then be swung forwardly to assume a position overlying the inwardly folded sides 38 over the seat i9 and the sections 45 swung downwardly to position the handle 45. so as to engage the clip 60, thus locking the handle 45 in a position that will retain the backrest in its Acollapsed position. When the handle 45 is thus locked not only is the backrest 4| retained in collapsed position but the underlying sides 38 and the combined leg and footrest 22 is also retained in collapsed position. Consequently, dur.- ing carrying of the collapsed child carrier by the handle 59 in the position shown in Fig. l, al1 of the parts are effectively lock-ed against accidental opening. On reaching the destination the various parts above described may be extended in the reverse manner care being taken to have the sides 38 upright during the rearward swinging of the backrest 4l so that the knee braces 43 will properly enter the clips 44. The arms of the handle 45 maybe Withdrawn from their guides 49 and when the sections of the arms are in alignment they will be latched in this position by the automatic engagement of the latches 56 by means of the leaf springs 55. The wheels may be eX- tended by forcibly causing the arms 3l to disengage the clips or retainers 36 and rocking the rocker shafts into a position so that the wheel mountings 28 can enter the notches 35.

From the above-described construction it will be appreciated that an improved child carrier is provided which is of relatively simple and durable construction, and which can be economically manufactured and assembled. When collapsed it may assume a very compact position and can be easily carried. When it is desired to set up the carrier either with or without wheels this can be easily accomplished and when set up the various parts are eifectively locked against collapse.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as deiined by the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A device of the class described comprising a body providing a seat, Wheels adapted to support the body foldable beneath the seat, a backrest hingedly mounted upon the body foldable over the seat, a handle, arms slidably mounting the handle upon the backrest, said arms being jointed so as to enable the handle to be folded across the forward edge of the seat and to be fastened to the body to lock the backrest in folded position.

2. In a device of the class described, a body providing a seat, a backrest hingedly mounted upon the body so as to be foldable thereover, a handle, arms slidably mounting the handle on the backrest, means for locking the arms in eX- tended position, said arms being jointed to enable them to fold over the forward end of the seat, and means for securing the handle to the body to lock the backrest in collapsed position.

3. In a device of the class described, a body, rocker shafts rotatably mounted upon the underside of the body, wheel mountings pivotally mounted upon the rocker shafts, knee braces c01- braces extended to lock the rocker shafts againstA rotation.

4. In a device of the class described, a body, rocker shafts rotatably mounted upon the underside of the body, wheel mountings pivotally mounted upon the rocker shafts, knee braces collapsibly connecting the wheel mountings to their respective rocker shafts, there being notch-es in the body adapted to be entered by the wheel mountings when the rocker shafts have been rotated and the knee braces extended to lock the rocker shafts against rotation.

5. In a device of the class described, a body, rocker shafts rotatably mounted upon the underside of the body, caster wheel mountings rotatably mounted upon the rocker shafts, caster wheels rotatably mounted thereon, and resilient means on the underside of the body automatically engageable with the caster wheel mountings as the caster wheels on the rocker shaft are swung into collapsed position against the underside of the body for holding the caster wheel mountings against movement relative to the rocker shaft.

6. A device of the class described comprising a wheeled body providing an open-topped receptacle, a cover for the receptacle providing a seat, a backrest foldable over the seat, a handle on the backrest by which the body may be propelled, means for holding the backrest in upright position, and means for fastening the backrest in a position overlying the seat.

7. A device of the class described comprising a wheeled body having a seat, a backrest hingedly mounted upon the body, foldable knee braces for holding the backrest in upright position but enabling the backrest to fold forwardly over the sea-t, a handle on the backrest by which the body may be propelled, sides for the seat, and means on the sides engageable by the knee braces when the backrest is in upright position for holding the sides upright.

8. A device of the class described comprising a wheeled body having a seat, a backrest hingedly mounted upon the body, foldable knee braces for holding the backrest in upright position but enabling the backrest to fold forwardly over the seat, a handle on the backrest by which the body may be propelled, sides hingedly mounted at the sides of the seat foldable over in collapsed position, and means on the sides engageable with the knee braces for holding the sides in upright positions.

9. A device of the class described comprising a body providing a seat, wheels collapsible against the underside of the body, sides hingedly connected to the body at the sides of the seat foldable thereover, a backrest hingedly connected to the body at the back of the seat foldable over the sides, means for holding the backrest and sides in upright positions, and means for holding the backrest in a position overlyingk casa-,reses sfor v:holding zthe :backrest in .Ya position foveiilying' the sidesfand -zseat in .collapsed xposition, :said

vseat being .slidable upon -the tbody and fthe botly ,-pxzoviding :a rreceptacle rtherebeneath.

v111. .A vtdevice v,of the :class described .comprising a body providing a seat, Wheels collapsible against the Vundersidefo the body,isides2hngely connected to Vthe :body :at the sides :of Tt'he .seat --foldable thereover, a backrest hingedly connected to the body-at the back :of :the .seatfold- .able over lthe sides, :means .fior fholding th'e .backrest xand `sides lin -npright positions, yand imeans for holding the backrest fin a lposition overlying the .sides Land seat :in f collapsed zposition, Jand a footrest hingedl-y .connected to zthe foizvvard Aend of the seat foldable rearwardly over ithes'eatbeneath .the-sides. Y

.12.\In a device fof the class idescribed. a wheeled .body gproviding -a seat, :a :backrest hngedly connected to the [body oldableover fthe seat in collapsed ,position, :a handle Eby which the .body may :be propelled, s'aid handle having arms Aat the sides :thereof 'by which .it .is connected .to .the backrest, :said arms :being divided into .pivotally connected sections, and .means 'for optionally locking `.said sections :against pivotal movements or Vunlocking said .sections for pivotal movements, said arms being adapted to fslide HPQH Said backrest.

13.In .a device of l,the :class described, 1a Wheeled body providing hingedly connected to fthe body ,f oldable .over the seat 'in .collapsed fposition, la handle by z.which the body may be propelled, Asad handle having arms at `the sides thereof by `which it :is :con-

ya seat, a .backrest :n'ecte "to :the fibacknest, :sain farms' @being divided into `.pi-votall-y connected Sections, L'and means ''for Joptionally 1locking said sections Aagainst pivotal movements .for unlocking .said sections for pivotal movements, comprising latches iadap'ted to fengage the .sections :adjacent their pivotal connections, .zand flexible means conne'cting 'fthe lathes for :simultaneously '-retracting ithem.

14. .A ndeirlce lof *the :class described mompr'i's'ing a wheeled body aproviding :a receptacle, ra seat slidable liver the top I@of ithe receptacle, :a .comjhined '.leg and zfoot :nest hngedly connected to .the fseat .and .fl'dable theneoven a backrest lhingedly connected tto the 'tbody and ffldable over veine seairr1'ear1s :for maintaining the b'aokrest :in :upright zposition, and 'Lmea'ns for '.as'tening the backrest 'to ythe :body lin :its -l'c'o'llapsed ipo'- sitinn ysmarty/ing :the .seat

Y .mHN P. rnosK.

.'REEERENGES CITED The ifo'llo'wing `references -are YVof record fm the le l-of this patent:

UNITED "STATES :PATENTS 724,016 France aan. .#23, .1119.32 

